It was a real choice mission, and when it was over, I'd never want another.

How to be more like Jesus in the new year, 3 simple steps:

1. Join the church within driving distance most faithful to the Scriptures. If there isn't one that qualifies, move closer to one that does.

2. Ask the leadership for tasks/chores/duties nobody else wants to do.

3. Serve faithfully even though the following be true:

• You are un(der)appreciated.
• Your value isn't recognized by those you serve.

Related Scriptures:

• Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.


• Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.


• 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.


• Philippians 2:3-11 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I mean, that thing is good. I wanna be friends with it.

I previously mentioned the concept of being an expository listener when I recommended the book, What Is a Healthy Church Member?

If you're interested, it's on sale for $6.50 via Westminster Bookstore, a great place to buy books, incidentally.

"With a wealth of biblical insight and practical instruction, Anyabwile calls Christians to do more than just attend church, but to be the kind of faithful, engaged church members that God intends. Given the state of so many of our churches today, this book arrives not a moment too soon."
~ R. Albert Mohler Jr. (President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)

N.B. For the Providence Church book club, this is the book we'll be discussing at our June meeting.

Snowman, you got your ears on?

I heartily recommend Thabiti Anyabwile's book, What Is a Healthy Church Member?

One of the things rarely mentioned in Christian literature is guidance for the church member with regard to his/her role in the preaching process. Thabiti addresses that topic in a chapter entitled, "A Healthy Church Member Is an Expositional Listener."

A few highlights:

"Expositional listening is listening for the meaning of a passage of Scripture and accepting that meaning as the main idea to be grasped for our personal and corporate lives as Christians."

What Are the Benefits of Expositional Listening?

1. It cultivates a hunger for God's Word.
2. It helps us to focus on God's will and to follow Him.
3. It protects the gospel and our lives from corruption.
4. It encourages faithful pastors.
5. It benefits the gathered congregation.

How Can Church Members Cultivate the Habit of Expositional Listening?

1. Meditate on the sermon passage during your quiet time.
2. Invest in a good set of commentaries.
3. Talk and pray with friends about the sermon after church.
4. Listen to and act on the sermon throughout the week.
5. Develop the habit of addressing any questions about the text itself.
6. Cultivate humility.

• Buy the What Is a Healthy Church Member?
• See also Mark Dever, What Is a Healthy Church? (An appetizer)